Originally published on cgiar.org by:IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) on Nov 3, 2008
3 November 2008
A Global Voice for the Global Grain
Leading organizations team up to create mouthpiece for critical global industry
Chiang Mai, Thailand – The voice of rice—the grain that feeds half the world—has become even stronger with the new partnership announced here on 21 October between the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and The Rice Trader, Inc. (TRT), publisher of the world's premier publication on rice trade issues.
For 7 years, IRRI, through its quarterly magazine Rice Today, has kept the world informed about developments in rice research to help millions of poor farmers improve their rice production and pull themselves out of poverty.
For 18 years, TRT has brought its subscribers crucial, up-to-the-minute information on the state of play in the world of rice trading through its publication The Rice Trader, a weekly summary of market and data analysis. The Rice Trader is acknowledged as the only source of privately held research into rice markets that has helped both leading commercial rice companies and regional government officials to make crucial decisions on rice markets. Now, at a time when rice issues are capturing global attention more than any time in the past 30 years, the two organizations are joining forces to create the leading voice on rice issues worldwide.
Jeremy Zwinger, president of TRT, and Achim Dobermann, IRRI deputy director general for research, kicked off the new partnership at a signing ceremony at World Rice Commerce 2008, held in Chiang Mai, 20-22 October.
"IRRI's research expertise combined with TRT's extensive knowledge of the trade industry will allow Rice Today to grow well beyond its current reach and develop a much broader appeal," Mr. Zwinger said. "The global rice industry, which employs literally hundreds of millions of people, has been described as the single most important economic activity on the planet. We believe that the new improved version of Rice Today will offer the mouthpiece that such a critical industry deserves."
"The partnership will allow us to expand the scope of Rice Today magazine both geographically and in content, which will result in a significant increase in subscribers and readers," said Dr. Dobermann. "Now, Rice Today will focus on key trade developments in addition to its core subjects of research and technology."
The Rice Trader Inc. will take on the responsibility of publishing Rice Today, adding new content and resources that will showcase the vital partnership between research and trade. IRRI's continued role in the production of Rice Today, blended with TRT's commercial focus, will take a world-class publication to new heights.
The first issue of Rice Today to be published under the new arrangement will be Vol. 8, No. 2, April–June 2009. Existing subscribers will continue to receive the magazine.
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The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the world's leading rice research and training center. Based in the
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For information, contact Adam Barclay, IRRI, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines;
tel +63-2-580-5600; fax: +63-2-580-5699; email a.barclay@cgiar.org.
Web sites: IRRI Home (www.irri.org), IRRI Library (http://ricelib.irri.cgiar.org), Rice Knowledge Bank (www.knowledgebank.irri.org)